Nepal dock, Field sorrel
Rumex nepalensis

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb which grows 0.6-2 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a stout rootstock. The leaves have stalks. They are 3.5-14 cm long by 1-9 cm wide. The lower leaves have long stalks but the upper leaves do not have stalks. They are oval. The flowers are of both sexes. They are reddish and occur in long rings. The fruit is a brown nut. The flower has sepals which are hooked. These stay ringed around the fruit.

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow up to about 3300 m altitude. It grows in open, moist places. It grows between 1500-4000 m altitude in Uttar Pradesh in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Asia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central Asia, China, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Rwanda, SE Asia, Sikkim, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. They are used in times of scarcity and mixed with other vegetables. They are also used in curry. They are used in soup. Both the roots and leaves have oxalic acid and should be cooked and possibly have the cooking water changed.

A minor vegetable of local importance.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Alvi, Amlya, Bhasya, Duongde Nepal, Girshut, Hale, Halhalesag, Halhaley, Hali, Halya, Jiong xiong, Kandyem-dung, Kholya, Khoya, Kikushi, Kilmoru, Kulii, Lung-sho, Malora, O-chos-thamh, Olmi, Olvi, Pahari palang, Palak, Sheep sorrel, Shomang, Somang, Syomakpa, Torong-khongchak, Urval, Yalak ao, Ye ke ya ma, Yellow doek

Synonyms

Rumex bequaertii De Wild.; Rumex bequaertii var. quarrei (De Wild.) Robyns; Rumex quarrei De Wild.; Rumex steudelii Hochst. ex A. Rich.;